Froman ready to lead UofL offense

Mike Hughes

09/01/2010

Adam Froman has one final chance to prove that he can lead Louisville back to the winner's circle. The Cardinals senior quarterback is excited about making the biggest start of his short career Saturday against Kentucky and hopes he can lead Louisville to their first win over the Wildcats since 2006.

Louisville's senior quarterback understands that time is running out quickly on his college career and there remains a lot left to accomplish in a very short time. For Froman, a junior college transfer from Santa Rose (CA) C.C., this season represents his last chance to prove he can lead the Cardinals to the winner's circle.

"I've got 93 days until the Rutgers game [UofL's regular-season finale]," Froman said. "So in 93 days I may never play football again. That really makes it real. You try to play every game like its your last. It's really staring me in the face that I don't really have much time left so I've got to go out and play like it's my last game. I'm looking for a chance to prove this team can win and prove that I can go do that."

Froman was expected to begin last season as the starting quarterback, but a preseason injury sidelined him for the first three games, including Kentucky. Froman ended his junior campaign starting seven games, but the Cardinals won only two of those contests. Now, Froman is about to start the biggest game of his short career at Louisville in front of the largest home crowd in UofL history.

"I'm not nervous," Froman said. "I don't get nervous before a game. It's just excitement. I can't wait."

Charlie Strong pegged Froman the starting quarterback at the conclusion of fall camp because of his 'presence' and leadership ability. A hard-worker, Froman believes he's prepared to lead the Cardinals' offense this Saturday.

"I've been in the film room a couple hours a day since last season was over preparing for this game," Froman said.

Though Louisville's offense struggled last year, ranking last in the Big East in scoring, Froman and the Cardinals now have more options in offensive coordinator Mike Sanford's spread offense.

Adam Froman hopes to lead Louisville to its first win over Kentucky since 2006.

"This offense gives us options," Froman said. "As a quarterback it gives me the option to pass, check to a run or run myself. I love that it's flexible."

"The nature of this offense is going to be more exciting with the spread," added Froman. "It's dynamic and we can pretty much break a big play when we want to – whether it's on the ground or through the air. It really keeps defenses on their toes."

"We have a receiving corps that four or five guys can go out there and make plays," Froman said.

Whether or not Froman and the offense produce Bobby Petrino-like offensive fireworks remains to be seen. But one thing you can count on is that the offense will be gritty and tough, a reflection on Froman.

"We're going to scrap for every yard and fight for every inch," Froman said. "I think that's going to be our identity this year. Never quit, never say die attitude. I think we're going to surprise people late in games with how much we're sticking around. It's going to be a fight for all four quarters."

That toughness was a characteristic lacking under Steve Kragthorpe. It's no longer missing ingredient for this team - not with Charlie Strong demanding toughness, discipline and passion from his players.

"This coaching staff is much more intense," Froman said. "There's a difference in coaching and attitude around here. It's all business when we show up to the stadium. Guys have really worked hard and coming into this first game we know we're prepared. We know there's not a team that has out-prepared, out-hustled or out-worked us during the offseason."

Though Froman wasn't available, Louisville nearly upset Kentucky last season in Lexington. Undone by two late turnovers, Froman hopes to lead the Cardinals to their first win over the Wildcats in four years.

"They're a solid defense and don't make too many mistakes," Froman said. "We've got to go out there, operate and do what we know how to do and we'll be fine."

Froman understands what he needs to do Saturday to deliver an unexpected win over Louisville's most-heated rival – get the ball into the hands of the Cardinals playmakers, namely running backs Bilal Powell and Victor Anderson.

"My job is to get us in the right play and get us in the right situation where the running game can be explosive," Froman said. "I don't know if anybody in the Big East can match our running game with Bilal and Victor....and we need to utilize it. Efficiency is what you want out of your quarterback."